Impeller for bioprocessing

Abstract

Fluid impellers for biocontainers, and bioprocessing units including the impellers and biocontainers, and methods of using the impellers, are disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An impeller for a biocontainer comprising:
 (a) a hub including a top end and a bottom end, and at least first and second impeller arm slots arranged vertically and extending from the top end toward the bottom end; 
 (b) at least first and second impeller blades extending from the hub, each impeller blade comprising a blade face, an arm having a first end and a second end and a notch between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is adjacent to the blade face, and the second end extends into an impeller slot, the arm being engaged in the slot, and wherein the second end of the first impeller blade arm engages with the notch of another impeller blade arm. 
 
     
     
       2. The impeller of  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a third impeller arm slot arranged vertically, the impeller further comprising a third impeller blade comprising a blade face, an arm having first end and a second end and a notch between the first end and the second end, extending into an impeller slot, the arm being engaged in the slot, wherein the second end of the first impeller blade arm engages with the notch of the third impeller blade arm, the second end of the third impeller blade arm engages with the notch of the second impeller blade arm, and the second end of the second impeller blade arm engages with the notch of the first impeller blade arm. 
     
     
       3. The impeller of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable shaft comprising a cylindrical element having a first end and a second end, the shaft having a vertical rotational axis, wherein the hub is mounted on the first end of the rotatable shaft. 
     
     
       4. The impeller of  claim 1 , further comprising rivets or bolts fixing the arms to the hub. 
     
     
       5. The impeller of  claim 1 , further comprising a hub cap engaged with the top end of the hub. 
     
     
       6. The impeller of  claim 2 , further comprising a rotatable shaft comprising a cylindrical element having a first end and a second end, the shaft having a vertical rotational axis, wherein the hub is mounted on the first end of the rotatable shaft.